COVID Country updates - last updated 30th October 2020

Confused by all the different rules and regulations surrounding travel? We totally understand. As we trundle toward the end of 2020, the need for a holiday will become more urgent for all of us with each day that passes. There are so many mixed messages out there that it can be quite disheartening when it comes to looking for your next break, but the great news is, that’s what we are here for!

We are delighted to make things a little easier for you by sharing our ‘What’s What’ of African and Indian Ocean travel so that you have all the info in one handy spot. Hopefully, this will give you some positivity as Africa IS open and waiting for you with open arms!

Tanzania (& Zanzibar) – open

Tanzania’s borders are open to all international travellers.

• No quarantine on arrival necessary
• No negative PCR test certificate required (although airlines may request them)
• Travellers must complete a Traveller Surveillance Form before arrival which will be available onboard
• All travellers must adhere to strict hygiene practices including regular handwashing and social distancing
• Masks must be worn in some indoor spaces

UK Citizens – must isolate on return
USA Citizens – please check state advice for guidance upon return

Kenya – open

Kenya’s borders are open to most international travellers, including the UK and USA. The full list can be found here.

What you need to know:

• No quarantine on arrival necessary
• A negative PCR test is required by all travellers arriving into the country which must be conducted within 96 hours of departure to Kenya
• Temperature checks and medical screening will be conducted on arrival and required to quarantine and be tested if symptomatic
• Before entering the country, all travellers must complete a mandatory health form

UK Citizens – must isolate on return
USA Citizens – please check state advice for guidance upon return

Uganda – open

Uganda’s borders are open to all international travellers.

What you need to know:

• No quarantine on arrival necessary
• A negative PCR test is required by all travellers arriving into the country which must be conducted within 72 hours of departure to Uganda
• Temperature checks and medical screening will be conducted on arrival and required to quarantine and be tested if symptomatic
• A PCR test must be taken by all travellers within 120 hours prior to departure from Uganda and must be negative for onward travel

UK Citizens – must isolate on return
USA Citizens – please check state advice for guidance upon return

Zambia – open

Zambia’s borders are open to all international travellers.

What you need to know:

• No quarantine on arrival necessary
• Negative COVID-19 PCR test required within 14 days of departure to Zambia
• Temperature checks and medical screening will be conducted on arrival and required to quarantine and be tested if symptomatic

UK Citizens – must isolate on return
USA Citizens – please check state advice for guidance upon return

Zimbabwe – open

Zimbabwe’s borders are open to all international travellers.

What you need to know:

• No quarantine on arrival necessary
• A negative PCR test is required by all travellers arriving into the country which must be conducted within 48 hours of departure to Zimbabwe
• Temperature checks and medical screening will be conducted on arrival and required to quarantine and be tested if symptomatic

UK Citizens – must isolate on return
USA Citizens – please check state advice for guidance upon return

Maldives – open

Maldives’ borders are open to all international travellers.

What you need to know:

• No quarantine on arrival necessary
• A negative PCR test is required by all travellers arriving into the country which must be conducted within 72 hours of departure to the Maldives
• Temperature checks and medical screening will be conducted on arrival and required to quarantine and be tested if symptomatic
• Proof of hotel bookings must be presented and valid for the duration of stay in-country
• Travellers are urged to download a contact tracing app prior to arrival

UK Citizens – do not need to isolate on return
USA Citizens – please check state advice for guidance upon return

Rwanda – open

Rwanda’s borders are open to all international travellers.

What you need to know:

• All travellers are required to have a mandatory COVID-19 test on arrival and wait 24 hours for the result in one of the 17 certified hotels in Kigali – stays will be offered at a reduced rate
• A negative PCR test is required by all travellers arriving into the country which must be conducted within 120 hours of departure to Rwanda
• All travellers must complete a mandatory Passenger Locator Form within 120 hours of departure to Rwanda
• Temperature checks and medical screening will be conducted on arrival and required to quarantine and be tested if symptomatic
• A PCR test must be taken by all travellers within 120 hours prior to departure from Rwanda and must be negative for onward travel

UK Citizens – must isolate on return
USA Citizens – please check state advice for guidance upon return

Namibia – open

Namibia’s borders are open to all international travellers.

What you need to know:

• No quarantine on arrival necessary
• A negative PCR test is required by all travellers arriving into the country which must be conducted within 72 hours of departure to Namibia
• Travellers must complete a Traveller Health Questionnaire before arrival which will be available onboard
• Temperature checks and medical screening will be conducted on arrival and required to quarantine and be tested if symptomatic

UK Citizens – must isolate on return
USA Citizens – please check state advice for guidance upon return

Reunion Island – open

Reunion’s borders are open to all international travellers.

What you need to know:

• No quarantine on arrival necessary
• A negative PCR test is required by all travellers over the age of 11 arriving into the country which must be conducted within 72 hours of departure to Reunion
• Travellers must complete a Traveller Health Questionnaire before arrival which will be available onboard
• Temperature checks and medical screening will be conducted on arrival and required to quarantine and be tested if symptomatic

UK Citizens – must isolate on return
USA Citizens – please check state advice for guidance upon return

Seychelles – open with restrictions

Seychelles Travel Advisory

Seychelles’ borders are open for some international travellers. Their list of countries allowed entry is broken down into two categories and is being regularly reviewed. Category 1 includes low and medium risk countries, while Category 2 countries are allowed to visit under specific Special Status restrictions (which includes the UK).

What you need to know:

• A negative PCR test is required by all travellers into the country, including infants and children, which must be conducted within 72 hours (for Category 1 travellers) or within 48 hours (for Category 2 travellers) of departure to Seychelles
• Prior to departure, and once travellers have received a negative PCR test, all travellers must apply for a mandatory Health Travel Authorisation through an official online form (which is reviewed in 6 hours or less)
• Temperature checks and medical screening will be conducted on arrival and required to quarantine and be tested if symptomatic
• Once in-country, all travellers must reside at one property for the first five days of their stay and not leave the premises
• After five days, a mandatory PCR test will be conducted and anyone testing positive will be required to quarantine

UK Citizens – do not need to isolate on return
USA Citizens – please check state advice for guidance upon return

Madagascar – partially open

Madagascar’s island of Nosy Be is open to international travellers. There is currently no travel to mainland Madagascar allowed, but we expect the rest of the country to open up fully in November and will keep you informed.

What you need to know:

• No quarantine on arrival necessary
• A negative PCR test is required by all travellers into the country which must be conducted within 72 hours of departure to Madagascar
• Travellers must complete a Letter of Commitment acknowledging the COVID-19 related measures in place before arrival, which will be available onboard
• Temperature checks and medical screening will be conducted on arrival and required to quarantine and be tested if symptomatic
• The wearing of masks is mandatory in all public areas, at all times
• A PCR test must be taken by all travellers within 72 hours prior to departure from Madagascar and must be negative for onward travel

UK Citizens – must isolate on return
USA Citizens – please check state advice for guidance upon return

South Africa – open with restrictions

South Africa’s borders are open for some international travellers, but only those from countries which are not considered high risk. This currently includes the UK and USA, however, travellers from high-risk countries are permitted to transit through South Africa. The full list can be found here.

What you need to know:

• No quarantine on arrival necessary
• A negative PCR test is required by all travellers into the country which must be conducted within 72 hours of departure to South Africa (including those in transit)
• Travellers must complete a Traveller Declaration Form before arrival which will be available onboard
• All travellers must download the official COVID Alert SA app to help with contact tracing

UK Citizens – cannot currently travel to South Africa
USA Citizens – cannot currently travel to South Africa

Botswana – scheduled to open

Botswana will begin to allow private charter flights to land into Maun and Kasane International Airports from 01st November.

What you need to know:

As soon as we have updates from the Botswanan Government, we will be able to share details with you.

Countries that are open but require quarantine on arrival

There are a few other countries which are open but require quarantine on arrival. Once these restrictions are lifted, we will be able to share details with you.

• Ethiopia – 7-day quarantine upon entry
• Malawi – 14-day quarantine upon entry
• Mauritius– 14-day quarantine upon entry

Countries currently closed to tourists

• Mozambique

For more detailed information or to start the planning of your next safari, feel free to call our office on +44 1932 361807 (UK & Rest of the world) / 1 844 390 1798 (USA toll free) or pop us an email at [email protected], and we can help you to plan your bespoke Africa safari holiday – and by doing so, help us to support those most in need on the ground.

Get in Touch